In News:

On May 2, 2024, Delhi witnessed one of its most intense pre-monsoon weather events in over a century, recording the second-highest single-day rainfall for May since 1901, surpassed only by 119.3 mm in 2021. This extreme event, though meteorologically significant, also underscores critical vulnerabilities in urban disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Meteorological Dynamics behind the event

This rare weather event was driven by a complex interplay of meteorological phenomena. Delhi became the focal point for two moisture-laden wind systems: easterlies from the Bay of Bengal and southerlies from the Arabian Sea. Their collision over the National Capital Region created a low-level convergence zone, which forced moisture-rich air upward, initiating intense convective activity.

Compounding this situation was the presence of troughs—elongated low-pressure systems—that enhanced instability and facilitated vertical atmospheric lifting. As the moist air ascended, it cooled rapidly, forming towering cumulonimbus clouds reaching altitudes of over 13 km. These clouds, commonly associated with thunderstorms and intense rainfall, released torrential downpours over the city.

Additionally, the region was under the influence of a Western Disturbance, coupled with upper-air cyclonic circulations over Rajasthan and Punjab. These systems altered wind patterns, induced powerful vertical lifts, and further fed moisture into the storm system through an active monsoon trough extending from Madhya Pradesh to Kerala.

Timing and Transitional Weather

The event occurred during May, a transitional month for northern India as it shifts from spring to the monsoon phase. This seasonal flux often leads to volatile weather, but the scale and intensity observed this year were unusual and alarming. Factors such as strong westerly surface winds (up to 54 kmph) and cool descending winds from the Himalayas further enhanced convection, creating a perfect storm scenario.

Impacts on Urban Infrastructure

The heavy rainfall overwhelmed Delhi’s urban infrastructure. Several parts of the city faced severe waterlogging, power outages, flight disruptions, and, tragically, five deaths due to weather-related accidents. The lack of adequate stormwater drainage systems, combined with high urban density and poor land-use planning, exacerbated the crisis.

Broader Implications for Policy and Planning

This event serves as a wake-up call for urban disaster management and climate adaptation. With climate variability increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, Indian cities—especially megacities like Delhi—must invest in climate-resilient infrastructure.

Policymakers must:

• Strengthen early warning systems and inter-agency coordination.
• Enhance urban planning with a focus on green infrastructure and permeable surfaces.
• Improve data integration across meteorological and civic bodies for real-time response.
• Mainstream climate risk assessments in city development plans.

Conclusion

Delhi’s record-breaking rainfall is not just a weather anomaly but a symptom of deeper systemic vulnerabilities. It emphasizes the urgent need for holistic, science-backed urban resilience strategies to safeguard lives, infrastructure, and ecological balance in a rapidly urbanizing and warming world.